Minutes

Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Manor Road United Church
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

DRAFT MINUTES

Attendance
President: Brian Abbey
Directors: Jonathan Colford, Cheryl Creatore, Ron Lalonde, Jim Walker, Margaret Walker
Regrets: Shelley Laskin, Paul Newbigging
Web Master: Charles Iscove
Members: Harold Pidduck (Manor), Joe and Helen Godfrey (Hillsdale), Janet Harrison (Hoyle)
Guest: Leslie Abro, President and CEO, ABCON Media

  1. Review the Agenda for June 20
    • No changes
  2. Approval of the Minutes - Board Meeting May 16, 1007
    • Subject to two deletions #1 "what we can do for you", #2 "Mission and Values" from item #5 Website Discussion
    • On a Motion by Cheryl Creatore, seconded by Jonathan Colford, Minutes approved as revised
  3. Treasurer's Report (by President)
    • General Account = $2,682.04 Legal Fund = $1853.24
    • A cheque for $600 will be received from Councillor Michael Walker's Office for SERRA to contribute to the Legal Fees for the CORRA Appeal (ex: FoNTRA).
    • An invoice for printing and distribution of the Summer OWL will require payment from the General Account when received, projected between $600 -700 this issue.
    • President Brian is still without signing authority for the SERRA Accounts at RBC
  4. ABCON Media - New concept for Advertising at Yonge-Eglinton.
    • Bill 311, adopted by Council April 24 and 25, designated the Yonge-Eglinton Centre a Community Improvement Project Area
    • Leslie Abro (President, ABCON Media) presented a proposal to the Board on behalf of ABCON Media and Northam Realty (landlord of Canada Square) for a Community Improvement Project. The project had previously been discussed with Councilors Walker and Stinz. Mr. Abro was seeking community approval for the proposal.
    • President Brian would be meeting shortly with Phil Mohtadi (President of Oriole Park Association) to discuss this proposal
    • There was a free and full Q and A session between Members present and Leslie Abro
    • There will be further discussion at the July 18 Meeting - SERRA has not taken an official position on this issue.
  5. Mt. Pleasant Cemetery Group - Public Meeting, June 12 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School, Garfield Avenue
    • This meeting was called by the Moore Park Residents' Association to update the residents attending with the current "stand-off" situation between the Association and the Mt. Pleasant Group of Cemeteries on the issue of a Visitation Centre to be built at the Eastern Section of the Cemetery at Moore Avenue.
    • This appears to be a 95% 'done-deal" but the Association has one final angle to play against the 2006 OMB decision - the City should review the Heritage Documents currently in City Archives (copies with the MP Association) and decide if the Cemetery Group are by law "the rightful owners/administrators of the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery" and have the authority to "proceed against the wishes of the rightful owners, indicated in these documents to be the Citizens of Toronto".
    • President Brian was an invited speaker and he gave SERRA's support to the position taken by the Moore Park Association; other SERRA members also attended this Public Meeting.
    • This issue is still ongoing although there were vocal dissenters present.
  6. Garage Sale and Fundraising
    • With no summer dates available, it was decided to try for early September.
    • Paul Newbigging offered the parking lot at the Murray Newbigging Funeral Home for a Garage Sale on a SUNDAY only. Proposed dates are September 9 and 16 - dates TBD in July then posted on the website.
  7. Committee Reports
    • Minto - No Meetings (Margaret)
    • FoNTRA and CORRA - Ron Lalonde
      • NEW Section 37 Fund, proposed that ALL funds required by the City in a Section 37 be assigned to a single fund and NOT to a specific development-the New City of Toronto By-laws have not re-couped many dollars with the current practice.
      • CORRA Appeal - with the SERRA $600 donation FoNTRA will be out of debt to the lawyer handling the Appeal.
      • CAPTR - (Coalition After Tax Reform) will be supported by a small donation from FoNTRA until the date of the Ontario Fall Election.
    • Statutory Approvals - - Brian Abbey
      • The OMB gave a judgement against an Appeal from the developer with a plan to build 16 Town Houses in the Bayview Avenue/Post Road area.
      • Notice of Motion to Abolish the OMB delivered by Councilors Michael Walker and Cliff Jenkins - copy with Brian-their rationale to protest to the inactivity of the current Provincial Government is in keeping with yet another election promise.
  8. Other Business
  9. The OWL
    • Paul Newbigging offered to cover the costs of the OWL in exchange for advertising the Funeral Home in each edition; to be discussed further at the July Meeting in conjunction with other suggestions for inserting Ads in the OWL.
    • Genuine concerns were expressed at the delay in the distribution of the OWL at least 1- month past the due date; to be discussed at the July Meeting.
    • The delay did permit promotion of the revised south eglinton website and a more attractive re-alignment of previously submitted material.
    • Margaret requested 50-100 copies (if available) for local distribution in areas NOT serviced by the Distributor.
  10. The SERRA Website
    • The Board Members present congratulated Charles on the results of his difficult and dedicated work on re-building the SERRA website. The result is something to be proud of and it will enhance the image of the Association.
    • Thanks are due also to Janet Harrison who contributed many hours to proofing material that Charles was adding to the website. (Correction: Janet Harrison contributed many hours to proofing the OWL - not the website. Charles)
  11. Adjournment
    • President Brian called for adjournment at 9:15 pm.
  12. Date of the Next Board Meeting
    • Wednesday July 18, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the Friendship Room at Manor Road Church - Please bring a copy of the Agenda and Minutes to the Meeting and RSVP to Brian or Shelley if unable to attend. (NOTE: This meeting was cancelled.)